The Week

Published on December 13, 2004.

PepsiCo, in its ongoing effort to position part of its portfolio as healthy snack options, said last week it signed a year-long partnership with Discovery Communications to tout its "Smart Spot" healthier options across Discovery's six U.S. networks. Brands including Quaker, Tropicana and Baked Lay's will be featured as part of healthy breakfast and healthy snack reminder messages across Discovery Channel, TLC and FitTV among others. In addition, the deal includes ties between the brands and on-air programming for shows such as Discovery Health Channel's "National Body Challenge" and FitTV's "Fit Family Week."

Advertising Week returns for 2005

Advertising Week, the industry's celebration of itself, will return next September, the event's organizers announced last week. The 2005 event will be marked by a name change with "in New York City" dropped from the title to reflect a broader scope. However, it was unclear whether any events would actually be scheduled in other cities. The board of directors has been expanded to include marketing trade groups, media and marketers.

O&M taps Roth as promo CEO

Ogilvy & Mather named agency veteran Rick Roth CEO of 141 Worldwide, the promotion network that became a part of Ogilvy when parent WPP Group purchased Cordiant last year. The position has been open since the purchase. Mr. Roth is widely regarded as a key figure in the turnaround of Ogilvy's Los Angeles office, helping it to land business from Cisco Systems and Mattel. He served as a leader of Ogilvy accounts including Mattel, Kraft Foods and SAB Miller. At 141, while retaining oversight of these clients, he'll be charged with making promotions part of Ogilvy's integrated offering.

Rocawear clears out marketing

Upheaval once again reigns supreme in the marketing department of urban apparel marketer Rocawear. Less than 10 months after CEO Damon Dash dissolved the company's six-person in-house marketing agency, Native/DBG, and hired ex-Levi Strauss & Co. exec Roy Edmondson as VP-marketing, Mr. Dash has again taken out the axe, letting go Mr. Edmondson and at least 12 others. The changes come as rapper and partner Jay-Z exits record company Roc-a-fella and Rocawear to become president of Def Jam Recordings.

FYI...

Roger Haupt, 57, is relinquishing his roles as president and chief operating officer of Publicis Groupe and stepping down from the holding company's management board. Jack Klues, CEO of StarcomMediaVest Group, is replacing him on the management board. Mr. Haupt will keep his post as chairman of Publicis Media Group. ... Grey Global Group set what should be its final annual meeting for Dec. 30, squeezing it in before yearend. Grey shareholders won't vote on the planned sale to WPP Group until 2005, pending sign off by European antitrust regulators. ... Colgate-Palmolive Co. plans to cut 12% of its workforce, or 4,400 jobs; consolidate global media buying and other global purchasing under a single organization; and step-up efforts to improve marketing return on investment. AdAge.com QwikFIND aaq17I ... Simon Property Group, the country's biggest mall owner, in late November started running ads on 60 plasma TV screens throughout its Roosevelt Field mall on Long Island as a six-month test. If the screens prove an effective ad medium, it may expand the program to its other malls.